Freight Returns to Portsmouth

Although Portsmouth is a busy commercial port in the United Kingdom, it has not had freight rail service in 30 years. This article describes the campaign, waged primarily by Portsmouth's assistant harbourmaster, to restore freight rail to the area. The large intermodal goods yard that used to be near the port was closed and sold to developers 30 years ago. The harbourmaster initially ran the campaign to rebuild freight facilities as a volunteer, finally securing funding for a feasibility study in 1998. Due to his efforts, a siding has been laid for freight trains and some seed-money has been granted for the project. The initial plan is to switch 2% of port traffic from truck to rail, which will be enough to break even financially. Rail construction started in August 2007 and the hope is that the first trains will run by March 2008.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/49957551
• Authors:
  • Clifton, Paul
• Publication Date: 2008-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 16-17
• Serial:
  • Rail Professional
  • Issue Number: 130
  • Publisher: Cambridge Publishers Limited
  • ISSN: 1476-2196
  • Serial URL: http://www.cpl.biz/ourwork/general/rp.htm

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Campaigns; Financing; Freight service; Freight trains; Freight transportation; Intermodal facilities; Ports; Railroad transportation
• Geographic Terms: Portsmouth (England)
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01088702
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 25 2008 2:35PM